9.01.2010

Stuff I got

Today before work I popped into a local charity shop and found a couple cool things. First is a vintage waver/crimper, probably from around the 1920s.

Cool right?

I wasn't 100% sure that's what it was until the darling old lady working at the shop told me she remembered her mother using the same thing. Her mother would heat it up the fireplace (actually she said "chimney, which I thought was cute), or kerosene lamp, and clamp her hair.

I want to use it soooooooo bad. But I don't have a fireplace or kerosene lamp :(

Second is a large 70s suitcase, in a style I've been wanting. I have bunches of hard case vintage suitcases, but I don't dare check them onto airplanes, I'm even cautious about taking them out of the house. But this one is perfect. Canvas with "leather" trim (love that combination), so no worries about it cracking or getting wrecked. And it's nice and big!

Now if only I could find a matching weekender, train case, and hat box, all would be complete ;)

Can you imagine how cute that suitcase is going to be on the luggage carousel at the airport?! I have a boring black rolley suitcase. Maybe you can use the stove top for your vintage crimper? Maybe not gas, but electric should be okay, I think... But I'm no expert.Make sure you protect your hands when you do use it though! Looks like the handle may get hot.Take Care,Valerie

Maybe try heating it up with your blowdryer (if you have one) If that's not hot enough try dipping it in some boiling water, the steam will actually help it work better! What a great find, I would love to have one of those, being that I have been a pro stylist for 10 years. I have some old implements from my grandpa that are pretty cool, a hand clipper and some old straight razors, I am fascinated by old hair stuff!! Please take pics if you use it! :)

Maybe try heating it up with your blowdryer (if you have one) If that's not hot enough try dipping it in some boiling water, the steam will actually help it work better! What a great find, I would love to have one of those, being that I have been a pro stylist for 10 years. I have some old implements from my grandpa that are pretty cool, a hand clipper and some old straight razors, I am fascinated by old hair stuff!! Please take pics if you use it! :)

I'm still using rag curls! Only way for my hair, and even then they won't last all day... :( My Grandmere used one of those at one point, I only vaugely remember it from my 90's toddlerdom... Rag curls forever!

Personally I'd be scared to death to put a pair of mega hot scissors next to my head...but I'm super accident prone so..yeah.

I just got a set of hard luggage and I was trying to decide if I should keep them or not...I think you've made up my mind for me. They're so pristine I would be devastated if they got damaged. So lets make that someone elses' problem.

undomestic chica: It was Meg. If I remember correctly, Jo and Meg were going to a dance and Meg wanted to try crimping her hair as was the latest fashion, however Jo held the curler on too long and ended up burning Meg's hair and making it all frizzy and singed.

That curler looks incredible Solanah! I hope you figure out a way to try it out! :) That suitcase is adorable too. That's a good idea. I rather forgot that old suitcases are just that, old.

Heat it up under your hairdryer! I remember girls at school doing that with eyelash curlers. They used to go into the toilets between lessons, heat them up under the hot-air hand-dryer and curl away. Heaven forbid they should have straight lashes during Maths...!

How neat hat you found that old curler! I've been on the hunt for one for years, but antique stores always want a pretty penny for them. ;) I think you should see if you can try it using one of the methods other commenters suggested--and then show us how it turned out! :D

The shade of a kerosene lamp (which is usually just the right size and shape to hold a crimper or curler handle while the business end heats in the flame) is really called the chimney, so your lady may have meant a lamp after all. :)